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Saturday, 13 May 2017

501) Logo on Leaf Painting (Cachet): TANAPEX-2017 (Tamilnadu Philatelic Exhibition) at Chennai held from 05–08.01.2017: Special Cover released on Day I (05.01.2017):

501)
Logo on Leaf Painting (Cachet): TANAPEX -2017 (Tamilnadu Philatelic Exhibition) at Chennai
held from 05–08.01.2017: Special Cover released on Day I (05.01.2017):

Special
Cover of Logo on Leaf:

The Front of a Special
Cover issued during TANAPEX 2017 on 05.01.2017

This Special Cover bears a
“peepul leaf” on which the Logo of TANAPEX 2017 has been hand-painted. The
Rs.5/- stamp was issued in 2015 to commemorate the 10th World Hindi
Conference held at Bhopal and exhibits the logo of the World Hindi Conference.

The Cancellation Hand-stamp,
bears an image of the peepul leaf and is inscribed “TANAPEX 2017” (in both
Hindi and English). The cancellation is of Chennai GPO and is dated
“05.01.2017”.

This
Special Cover was released to mark the inauguration of the Philatelic
Exhibition.

The Back of the Special
Cover bears the inscription:

“This special cover
contains “logo on leaf”. Drawing on peepul leaf is an ancient craft which
emanated from India, especially from Tamilnadu. The tree is considered sacred
by Hindus and Buddhists since it is believed that the Buddha sat under this
tree and attained enlightenment. This special cover is released to mark the
inauguration of TANAPEX 2017”.

Although strictly speaking,
in terms of the definition given below, this Special Cover may not qualify as a
cachet but it is very close to being the cachet or “the show-stopper” of the
Philatelic exhibition.

In Philately, a cachet is
a printed or stamped design or inscription, other than a Cancellation or
pre-printed postage, on an envelope, postcard or postal card to commemorate a
postal or philatelic event. Cachets are generally issued on the first or the
second day of the event being organised.

More
about Peepul Leaf Art in India:

The Peepul tree has been
associated with India’s sacred traditions and Art, since time immemorial.

Interestingly, during the
excavations at the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro, the centre of an old India
civilisation dating back around 6,000 BC a seal was discovered which depicted a
tree being worshipped as a divinity.

According to Buddhist
traditions, Prince Siddhartha or Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment while
meditating under a Peepul tree, whereafter it was known as the “Bodhi Tree” or the “Tree of
Enlightenment”.

The leaves have
heart-shaped long, tapering tips. This slender hand fan-shaped leaf lends
itself to the beautiful and ancient art of leaf painting. This delicate art
requires a lot of patience and creativity on the part of the artist. This art
is believed to have originated in Kerala and Tamilnadu. The leaves apart being
used for painting were also used for writing centuries before the “invention”
of paper.

Peepul
Leaf painting – A treasured Indian Heritage:

Peepul leaves were dried
before being used for both painting and writing and are a treasured part of
Indian heritage.

The technique of leaf
painting involves a special procedure.

First, the green leaves
are immersed in a bowl of water for about 8-15 hours and then washed carefully
under a tap till the outer surface is removed to expose the veins. Another
method requires that the leaves be soaked in a bowl of water for a much longer
period say about two to four weeks, but in this method, the leaves are required
to be checked every few days as this prolonged soaking causes a film to form
over the leaves, which needs to be removed. The water too has to be changed
regularly.

The outer surface of the
leaves ultimately peels away leaving behind an off-white skeleton. This “bony
structure” is next dried in the sin-light. The veined appearance of the
skeleton leaf not only makes it attractive but also enables the leaf to
preserve itself.

Once the leaf is dry, it
is ready for painting. Usually, a coloured sheet is used as a background for
the leaf as it is very delicate and the slightest pressure might lead to a
rupture. The colour of the sheet may also enhance the beauty of the leaf
painting.

Peepul leaf painting is
usually done with oil colours. A gold coloured border adds greatly to the
beauty of the painting. A double coloured painting also looks unique and
elegant. Another style for beginners is to dip the leaf in water colours and
let it dry. This makes the later painting look highly attractive.

During the process of
painting, in case the work is left unattended, then a transparent sheet is used
to protect it in the intervening period.

Various methods are
employed to enhance the beauty of the peepul leaf painting. Tiny, glittering
objects, including miniature clay idols, glued/fixed to it give it a stunning
look.

Typical themes of the
paintings are figures from Hindu/Buddhist mythology, animals and scenery, even
modern abstract art. Peepul leaf paintings are used to decorate wedding/greeting
cards, wall hangings, bookmarks et al.

In this instance, a peepul
leaf painting has been used to showcase the logo of TANAPEX 2017.

A total 10 Special Covers issued during TANAPEX-2017:

The Front of the jacket containing all the 10 Special Covers issued during TANAPEX-2017, showing the images carried on all the Special Covers along with the logos of TANAPEX-2017 and India Post

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .